Last month, in a Midtown office adorned with sports memorabilia, two longtime friends met for a private talk. David Stern, commissioner of the NBA, sipped his morning coffee, expecting to be asked for career advice. Across from him sat Rick Welts, president and chief executive of the Phoenix Suns, who had come to New York not to discuss careers, but to say, finally, I am gay.

In many work environments, this would qualify as a so-what moment. But until now, Welts, 58, who has spent 40 years in sports, rising from ball boy with the Sonics to NBA executive to team president, had not felt comfortable enough in his chosen field to be open about his sexuality. His eyes welling at times, he also said that he planned to go public.

By this point, Welts had already traveled to Seattle to share his news with another friend, Bill Russell, one of the greatest basketball players ever and the recent recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He had also met with Val Ackerman, the founding president of the WNBA, in New York, and would soon be lunching in Phoenix with Steve Nash, the point guard and leader of the Suns and twice the NBA's most valuable player.

In these meetings and in interviews with The New York Times, Welts explained that he wants to pierce the silence that envelops the subject of homosexuality in men's team sports. He wants to be a mentor to gay people who harbor doubts about a sports career, whether on the court or in the front office. Most of all, he wants to feel whole, authentic.

It's very good to see that it's news. The less that people see differences as something that should be hidden the better. Eventually we will see that the real oddballs are those that fit very narrowly defined norms. But we're not there yet.

It's very good to see that it's news. The less that people see differences as something that should be hidden the better. Eventually we will see that the real oddballs are those that fit very narrowly defined norms. But we're not there yet.

Yeah, I hear what you're saying. But I wish we were at a point where a gay person didn't feel compelled to have to announce or confirm what sex they prefer. It shouldn't matter.

Just heard this guy interviewed on the BS report. He was a huge figure in the development of our modern conception of the NBA. ie. NBA Allstar weekend, including the dunk contest, and was at the helm of creating the dream team. Which was huge for international basket ball.

"It bothers me when I hear these reporters and jocks get on TV and say: 'Oh, no guy can come out in a team sport. These guys would go crazy.' First of all, quit telling me what I think. I'd rather have a gay guy who can play than a straight guy who can't play," Barkley said.